A Review of Lifestyle Interventions Provided as an Adjunct to Obesity Management Medications

This review synthesized the components of lifestyle interventions that have been provided in Phase 3 trials of obesity management medications (OMMs).

PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE were searched for Phase 3 clinical trials published from inception to February 2026 that tested FDA-approved OMMs. We descriptively synthesized lifestyle intervention components including dietary, physical activity, and delivery of counseling.

We included 50 reports from 42 studies. Most of the studies included a calorie restriction goal of 500 kcals/day. The most common physical activity goal recommended was ≥ 150 min/week. Diaries for eating and tracking physical activity have been recommended in many studies. There were 22 studies that provided counseling at least monthly or more frequently and an additional 16 trials that provided counseling at least every 3 months.

Lifestyle interventions have been core components in Phase 3 trials of FDA-approved OMMs. Further research is needed to test the optimal lifestyle interventions that should be provided along OMMs to maximize health outcomes.